Tag: GhostTales

Mythical creatures and ghosts are probably a part of many more childhoods than adulthood. Nonetheless, we have all heard, and at best experienced them.
In Uganda, it’s probably the famous Bukalabanda or perhaps the Basezzi commonly referred to as night-dancers. Whatever your encounter with Mystical creatures, you have one! Let’s explore some of these stories here.
Buckle up! These stories have made grown men wet their pants.

Abasezzi;

“I come from central Uganda, Buganda in particular and those that hail from the same are no strangers to the fantasy or reality of Abasezzi, the night-dancers, not crawlers, these guys actually dance around at night.

The most fascinating technicality to their dance is the that they do this stack-naked, Adam’s suit. Oh! And often in graveyards. Which is where they’re said to take their next meal from. Aren’t we glad they’re not killing and eating? hehehe…at least they’re only taking the dead. Still, these guys are said to be cannibals. Truth be told, many villagers have found their loved ones’ recently dug graves turned inside out only days after their funerals” Joanne Nvannungi narrates.

These night-dancers are thought to be demon-possessed, or as my people say “balina ekitambo” (they’re under a spell). In their element, they appear taller than usual, very swift & posses charms and powers.The demon that possesses these abasezzi is said to be contagious, and can possess another person especially if you in the vicinity.

“I first came to hear about the basezzi when I was 6 years old, visiting my grandparents deep down in Bukomansibi (now a district, yaaay), then a part of Masaka district. Yoh, the stories left you numb & a tad curious, but you know we are not cats, we only got one life.
If you think I’m lying, wait out by the banana plantation in the night & maybe you’ll hear the rustling of dried banana fiber. Next you’ll see the fire. When they clap their hands, fire comes out. And then they’ll merge, dark shapes of naked grown-a** men & women. Yoh! And if you stick around and let them touch you, you’ll become one of them. You’ll catch ekitambo! By the way, you can’t outrun them. They’ll catch you and maybe even just appear in front of you as you scatter.” She added.

Mythical creatures and ghosts are probably a part of many more childhoods than adulthood. Nonetheless, we have all heard, and at best experienced them. In Uganda, it’s probably the famous Bukalabanda or perhaps the Basezzi commonly referred to as night-dancers. Whatever your encounter with Mystical creatures, you have one! Let’s explore some of these stories here.
Buckle up!These stories have made grown men wet their pants.

Bukalabanda;
“Kaka-kaka-kaka-kakalabanda . . . Kaka-kaka-kaka-kalabanda…”
That is the sound you will hear shortly after the lights go out.
Students who attended boarding school, especially the ‘traditional’ ones, are no strangers to the tale of the Kakalabanda. A ghost that visits students’ dormitories in the dead of night, to ‘put in line’ students who were naughty or disrespectful or in some circles students who had a distinct spiritual attachment.

At the peak of the night, 3 am to be exact, many of these ghosts surface and walk among the living; attacking, disturbing and oppressing them.
Intense winds, rustling, and falling leaves rattling on the dormitory roofs and the clack of bones like sounds against the floor was the signal to shut your eyes tight and not peek. You then started to pray that you weren’t the target of the Kakalabanda that night.

“The clacking sound made by the Obukalabanda as they walked the halls of dormitories are similar to the sound made by famous shoes in the 1880’s called Kalabanda, hence the name. – Kakalabanda”Bukalanda are said to attack certain schools, apparently schools on the hills are said to be prime. Hills for generations and in different locations seem to be the best gathering places for spirits and ghosts.

Bukalanda are said to attack certain schools, apparently, schools on the hills are said to be prime. Hills for generations and in different locations seem to be the best gathering places for spirits and ghosts.

However, this led some people to believe that these were just urban legends, created by bullies to terrorize and steal from unsuspecting newer students.

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Whichever part of Uganda you are in, there is a story you can tell - a story about Culture, Food, People, and Physical features. Share these stories online, perhaps with some footage and tag #KoikoiUG and be part of the community of Uganda storytellers.

About Koi Koi Uganda

Koi koi Uganda is an initiative to tell the Ugandan stories.
Stories about Uganda's culture, people, food, and Physical features and anything Ugandan.
All these stories are shared online by individuals using the hashtag #KoiKoiUG

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Join the #KoikoiUg Movement

Whichever part of Uganda you are in, there is a story you can tell - a story about Culture, Food, People, and Physical features. Share these stories online, perhaps with some footage and tag #KoikoiUG and be part of the community of Uganda storytellers.